ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

FIELD TESTING OF BIO-ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES USING GEO-TEXTILE AND BIO-LOGS TO MITIGATE SOIL SLOPE EROSION IN MARIA AURORA NATIONAL HIGHWAY
Angara, E. V.; Escueta, S. C.; Rotaquio, Jr., E. L.; Barrogo, L. H.; Gallego, R. J.; Resueo, M. A.; Agbayani, E. A.; Teoso, K. D. and Sagabain, KJ DL. Aurora State College of Technology, Baler Aurora 3200 Philippines

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the performance of coco-fiber geotextile of different sizes planted with vetiver grasses and perennial peanut with 4m and 8m interval of bio-logs in slopes greater than 600 and on extremely eroded gullies along the Pantabangan-Maria-Aurora National Highway, Province of Aurora, Philippines. Experimental sites were scrapped to attain a more or less uniform surface. Geo-textile nets were laid-out manually, contact between the geo-textile nets was insured by using improvised bamboo stakes; so that net will be on its place until the termination of the research project. To determine the decrease in top soil, erosion pins were forced drive unto the soil in every sub-plot. rain gauges were also installed in the experimental area to determine the actual amount of rain in each site. Results showed that the geo-textile nets regardless of its mesh size (1 x 1; 2 x 2; and 3 x 3) were effective in minimizing top soil erosion, it is also observed that the vegetation have little influence on minimizing erosion. Bio-logs show that it is very effective at an interval of 4meters, while in terms of cover grasses; perennial peanut and vetiver have the same effect on controlling the top soil erosion on disturbed areas with a slope more than 600. KEYWORDS: geo-textiles nets that are derived from weaving coco-coir. bio-logs logs that are derived from rolling coco-nets. coco-nets product derived from weaving coco-coir. coco-coir dust are dust that are by-products of processing coco-husks into coco-coir.

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erosion pins anything that is forced drive into the soil to collect data on the level of top soil. coco-fiber fiber that are derived from the processing of husks using decorticating machine. coco-husks the outer cover of coconut, which are removed to collect the coconut nut. INTRODUCTION Erosion along denuded slopes has been a problem in all countries. When vegetation is removed, an increase in water runoff may trigger soil loss. A permanent and self propagating vegetal cover is found to be an ideal solution to 90% of the erosion problems in the world, as stated by K. R. Lekha[1](2003). Since Philippines is one of the major producers of coconut, we generate waste of about 12 billion coco-husk a year. The problem is, 75% of these are thrown away (www.terra daily.com)[2]. An innovation from Justino Arboleda which makes use the bio-degradable coconut husks fiber into durable bio-logs and nets was introduced as an alternative materials against the expensive synthetic nets and cement plastering methods of controlling soil erosion. The use of bio-engineering methods was first introduced during the 12th century when brush bundles were used to stabilize slopes in China[3] (Gray and Leiser1992). But how could we protect the denuded slope without compromising the upcoming vegetations? Synthetic nets or matting were produced aiming to hold and allow vegetations to sprout. The present engineering techniques that has been used to stabilize soil is usually using of cement plastering and different types of matting. These will hold and make soil compacted to ensure the stability of slanting area against possible erosion. Cement plastering, however, hinders the vegetation to grow. To further address these problems, the Philippine government has focused on affordable alternative solution, through Executive Order 25, yet environment friendly which at the same time mitigate soil slope erosion. As such, the national agency of DPWH was mandated to use geo-textile nets and bio-logs. Bioengineering techniques were introduced using indigenous materials which mostly came from coconut and turned into geo-textile nets. Coco-husk will be turned into coco-fiber and transformed into coco-rope which will be weaved into geo-textile nets and bio-logs. Coir, a 100% organic fiber from coconut husk, is naturally resistant from rotten, molds, moisture and dont needs any chemical treatment. It has appropriate
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ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

strength and durability to protect the slopes from erosion while allowing vegetation to flourish. It can dissipate flowing water force, absorb excess solar radiation and can provide good soil support for up to three years while allowing natural vegetations to established[4] (Coir Institute of South Africa). It can be installed manually unlike other concrete structures of which heavy equipment is necessary. In the Philippines, it was used now to cover up the exposed and extremely eroded areas of dams, preventing landslides in hillside of housing projects, covering landfills and highway projects. In an experiment, for coco-fiber can last up to four (4) years submerged in water [5] (www.terra daily.com) Coco-nets are intended to protect slope and vegetations by providing a physical barrier that control the velocity of downward water. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of coco-fiber geo-textile with different sizes planted with vetiver, grasses and perennial peanut with 4m and 8m interval of bio-logs in slopes more than 600. It was intended to minimize top soil erosion along the portion of Pantabangan-Maria-Aurora national road. MATERIALS AND METHODS MATERIALS Factors: 1 Coco-net mesh size (Control; 1x 1; 2x 2; and 3x 3) 2 Plants (Vetiver grass and perennial peanuts) 3 Intervals of bio-logs (4m and 8m) Treatment combinations: T1 = C1P1B1 T5 = M1P1B1 M3P1B1 T2 = C1PIB1 T6 = M1PIB1 M3P1B1 T3 = C1P2B2 T7 = M1P2B2 M3P2B2 T4 = C1P2B2 T8 = M1P2B2 M3P2B2

T9 = M2P1B1 T13 = T10 = M2P1B1 T14 = T11 = M2P2B2 T15 = T12 = M2P2B2 T16 =

ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

METHODS 1. Site identification The project team conducted reconnaissance survey on June 10, 2010 for site selection along Pantabangan-Maria Aurora National Highway. Three sites were selected: Site 1 and 2 are located at Sitio Calao, Brgy. Wenceslao, Maria Aurora, while Site 3 is at Sitio Masantol, Canili Area, Maria Aurora. 2. Scrapping of the study sites Before the setting of the coco-nets in the experimental area, all sites were scraped employing manual labor to attain more or less uniform surface to ensure that the net is in close contact with the surface soil. 3. Lay-outing of the experimental sites and installation of geo-textile nets Following the experimental lay-out of a split-split plot design in RCBD with 3 replicates, the project sites were divided into 4 main plots. Then the main plots were further subdivided into 4 subplots representing the 16 treatments. The coco-nets were pulled from the other end and stretched and staked firmly with the aid of improvised bamboo stakes followed by the installation of Bio-logs (diameter = 10, length = 3m) with 4m and 8m intervals, respectively. They were installed along the contours of the experimental area. 4. Planting of cover grasses Each treatment was planted with vetiver grass and perennial peanut. A furrow is constructed with a distance of 50cm x 1m and then the hole was backfilled with coco-peat to serve as organic fertilizer for the newly planted cover grass. Watering and replanting were done as needed arose. 5. Data gathering To ensure reliability in data collection, 8pieces of erosion pins were installed in each sub-plot. A total of 128 erosion pins were installed in 16 subplots to measure the top soil loss[5] (Escueta, S.2006). To calculate the amount of soil eroded in tons/ha, the formula below was used; E (t/plot) = V x p; V= txw Whereas: E = soil loss (t/plot) V = volume of soil eroded, cubic meter P = bulk density of soil (g/cubic centimeter = t/cubic meter) T= average decrease in topsoil layer, m
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ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

W = plot area, square meter 6. Rain-gauge To determine the amount of rainfall; rain gauges were installed in the different experimental sites. Secondary data on the amount rainfall were secured from the field office of the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-Physical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) located at Baler town. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Decrease in top soil (Site 1)
Average Top Soil Loss Site 1. Sitio Calao,Brgy. Wenceslao 0.7 T12 0.6 T4

T16
T8 0.5 T2 T14

centimeters

0.4

T6 T10 T15

0.3

T11 T3

0.2

T7 T1 T13

0.1

T5 T9

0 March April May Month June

Figure 1. Average decrease of top soil (cm).

ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

Presented in Figure 1 is the average decrease in top soil for the period of 4-month. It can be observed that there was minimal decrease in top soil during the months of March to April. T5, T8, T9, T13, and T14, have the same amount of top soil lost with an average mean of 0.13cm, the rest of the treatment did not incur changes on top soil losses. However, during the months of May to June, T1 got a mean loss of 0.63cm, followed by T16 with .50cm mean average then T5 with a mean of 0.51cm, followed by T2, T13 and T14 with a mean of 0.38cm and T9 with a mean of 0.26cm. On the other hand, T3, T10, and T15 got a mean average of 0.25cm, while T5, T7, T8, T9, T13, and T14 shared the same lowest mean average of 0.13cm top soil decreased. Figure 1 further shows the highest accumulated average decrease in top soil obtained in the month of May. This could be attributed to the highest amount of rainfall on that period. It was observed then that the higher the amount of rainfall, the higher the amount of top soil lost. Decrease in top soil (Site 2)
Average Top Soil Loss Site 2. Sitio Calao, Brgy. Wenceslao 1 0.9 T8 T16 T4 T12 T15 T11 T3 T7 T14 T2 T10 T6 T9 T1 T13 T6

0.8
0.7 Centimeter 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 March April Month May June

Figure 2. Average decrease in top soil (cm).

ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

Figure 2. Shows the average decrease of top soil for a 4-month period. It can be observed that during the month of March to April there are no changes on the top soil; this is due to the absence of rainfall during that particular period. However, in the month of May, T12 has a mean decrease of 0.75cm while T1 got a mean of 0.13cm. For the month of June T2 got the highest mean of 0.88cm and T14 has a mean of 0.13cm. The rest of the treatments showed no change on the 5 months duration of the study. The total amount of rain on the experimental site during the month of May is 292mm and during the month of June is 161mm. The result exhibits a direct relationship between the amount of rainfall and the amount of top soil loss. The decrease in top soil tends to increase as the amount of rainfall also increases. Decrease in top soil (Site 3)
Average Top Soil Loss Site 3. Sitio Masantol, Canili Area
0.8 T8 0.7 0.6 0.5 Centimeter 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 T16 T4 T12 T15 T11 T3 T7

T14
T2 T10 T6 T9 T1 T13

March

April Month

May

June
T5

Figure 3. Average decrease in top soil (cm).

ASCOT Research International Journal, Volume 3, December 2010

Figure 3 shows the average top soil decreases for a period of 4-months. During the months of March to April, there were no changes recorded. On the other hand, it shows that the highest average decrease in top soil was obtained in T2 during the month of June with 0.76 soil surface decreased, followed by T4 again during the month of May with 0.63 while T13, T11, and T14 shared the same mean of 0.13cm. The total amount of rain fall in these sites during the month of May was 197mm and 182 millimeter during the month of June. The decrease of soil surface tends to accumulate 56-76mm. CONCLUSION In terms of top soil losses, treatments covered with geo-nets, with 4m biologs interval and planted with perennial peanuts were the most effective ways of minimizing top soil loss in the areas with more than 600 slopes. Control (T1) tends to have a highest rate of top soil loss because having no net cover that will serve as barriers to hamper the velocity of water run-off water. Based on the results, the highest amount of erosion in the experimental area was 0.88t/ha. This is far below than the tolerable erosion limit in a disturbed area which is 2.0t/ha. According to Portch, if the soil is compact, it tends to decrease the size of pore spaces and when the landscape is completely devegetated, the infiltration rate decreases while the run-off increases thereby increasing the erosion rate. It conforms with the findings of Kaisi, M. and Helmers, M. which states that a normal rainfall with a rain drops range in size 1 to 7mm diameter; is as fast as 20miles/hr, may dislodge soil particles of bare ground and splash them out up to 90t/acre. The installed bio-logs in the lower part of the experimental sites were filled with soil particles after the occurrence of heavy rain. It showed that the presence of bio-logs in the upper, middle, and lower portion of the experimental sites increased the effectiveness of geo-textile nets in catching eroded soil particles; it served as catchment structure to retain the eroded soil particles. This again conforms to the findings of FAO.org, stating that after a massive removal of vegetation cover, erosion will increase drastically, as well as the sediment transport in river courses, large eroded materials will build up large sedimentation downstream. Four months after planting, vetiver grasses and perennial peanuts has high mortality rate. This is because of the non-occurrence of rain due to the effect of El

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Nio Phenomenon. Replanting of dead seedling was done immediately. Manual watering was also done as the need arose to ensure the growth of cover grasses. Results showed that coco-nets are effective in controlling top soil loss, and more effective with the help of bio-logs with an interval of 4m. However, types of vegetation have a little influence on the effectiveness of controlling top soil loss in disturbed areas with a slope more than 600. It is therefore recommended that the same experiment be done on another area with the same slope characteristics, with longer duration to validate further the results of this study. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Aurora State College of Technology headed by President Eusebio V. Angara, Ph.D. and the Research Department headed by Dr. Eutiquio DL. Rotaquio Jr, wishes to convey their heartfelt gratitude to the following: to the Office of Senator Edgardo J. Angara and Staff; to Dr. Pons Batugal of the Aurora Project Management Team; to Dr. Conrado J. Oliveros and Dr. Julius Ceasar V. Sicat of Pampanga Regional Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); to Engr. Raul C. Sabularse of Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD); to Engr. Arthur Lucas D. Cruz and Engr. Francisco C. Dime of Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC); to Engr. Elmer L. Dabbay of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and to all that had not mentioned yet contributed in their own little way for the success completion of this research study . REFERENCES Gray and Leiser, Published 1982.Biotechnical Slope Protection and Erosion Control. Terra Daily News About Planet Earth, P. 2006. Philippine Inventor Turns Coconut Waste Into Environment Saver as cited in www.terra daily.com/reports/Philippine_Inventor_Turns_Coconut_Waste_Into_ Environment_Saver.html

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Portch, S., Published 2010. Study on Effects of Plant Hedgerows on Soil Erosion and Soil Fertility on Slopping Farmland in the Purple Soil Area. Kaisi, M. and Helmers, M. Published 2008. Heavy Rain, Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss. The Coir institute of South Africa, 2007. Naturally Eco-friendly Coir Institute The Friendly Solution. Escueta, S. C. 2006. Soil Sediments and Nutrients Losses on Kaingin Farms and Bazal-Baubo Watershed in Aurora, Philippines. Unpublished Dissertation, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna, Philippines. www.FAO.org/. 1997. FAO Corporate document repository guidelines for mapping and measurement of rainfall. Induced erosion processes in the Mediterranean Coastal Areas.

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